Kilimanjaro trek to prove ‘anyone can achieve anything’

A woman who suffers from epilepsy will take on the challenge of a lifetime when she attempts to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for a charity close to her heart.

Alison Smith was diagnosed with epilepsy in her early 20s and has lived with the challenges it brings for 10 years.

In October she will attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in October spurred on by raising funds and awareness for Epilepsy Action and proving to herself and everyone else that she can give it a go.

Last year she completed the Coast to Coast bike challenge with her brother and raised almost £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society.

She hopes to raise £4,000 for Epilepsy Action in October.

“I have lived with epilepsy and the enormous challenges it brings, having to adapt my life accordingly, said Alison. “Being unwell, losing my driving licence and my independence, my confidence and resulting self esteem.

“I fought hard to maintain my much-loved career as a midwife, but this sadly came to an end early last year. From that point of view, it had robbed me of my life as I knew it.

“I wanted to do a bit of travelling and this came up while I was looking. At first I just thought ‘no that’s not for me’ but then I thought why not? I think if you put your mind to it anyone can achieve anything.”

Alison is among 600,000 people in the UK who live with the condition.

Alison added: “I want to show people with epilepsy you can get out of the house and whatever it is you can give it a go and to me that’s just as important as raising the funds.”